Pope Francis's Popemobile transformed into mobile clinic for Gaza children

By Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran

Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War

Tuesday 25 NovemberTue 25 Nov 2025 at 6:53pm

The ute-sized white popemobile is displayed inside a large glass box outdoors — The Vehicle of Hope, the former Popemobile used by Pope Francis, was unveiled in Bethlehem. (ABC News: Matthew Doran)

A former "Popemobile" used by Pope Francis during his 2014 tour of the Holy Land has been transformed into a mobile health clinic for Gaza's children, but Israeli authorities are yet to give permission for it to enter the war-ravaged strip.

One of the late pontiff's final wishes was for the vehicle to be refurbished and dedicated to supporting Palestinian children, prompting a months-long project in a workshop in the West Bank.

Dubbed the Vehicle of Hope and retaining the customary white associated with the pope, Catholic charity Caritas unveiled the finished product in Bethlehem on Tuesday in the shadow of the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus was born.

The popemobile, with a truck shape and a glass room in the back is placed inside a large glass box outside — The Vehicle of Hope now sits in a glass display case under lock and key. (ABC News: Matthew Doran)

"Let me remind you of the words by the late Pope Francis," Cardinal Anders Arborelius, Bishop of Stockholm, said at the ceremony.

"Children are not numbers; children are faces, names and stories, and each one matters.

"With the Vehicle of Hope, we want every child we reach to feel seen, heard and protected. The rights and wellbeing of the child come first.

"I am convinced that this converted Popemobile can truly serve its purpose, namely, a practical tool for humanitarian workers, and a genuine vehicle of hope for those who need it most."

The driver's seat of a car, everything painted while with black accents and red carpet — The former Popemobile has been refurbished. (Supplied: Caritas Jerusalem)

Intended for Gaza

For the moment, the vehicle is encased in a glass display case under lock and key. Israeli authorities need to grant permission for it to enter Gaza because it controls all access in and out of the strip.

COGAT, the agency responsible for coordinating services in Gaza, would not provide an on-the-record response to the ABC's questions about the project.

A man standing in the truckbed of a using tools — The former Popemobile has been fitted out to handle conditions in Gaza. (Supplied: Caritas Jerusalem)

It did tell newspaper The Times of Israel that no request for access had been received, saying it would evaluate any application once it was submitted.

Pope Francis had a great affinity with the people of Gaza, making repeated statements about his concerns for their plight during Israel's war in the strip before his death in April this year.

Almost every night, he called Gaza's Holy Family Church to check on the wellbeing of the priests and the people seeking refuge inside the compound.

Original elements preserved

Speaking to the ABC before the former Popemobile was presented to the public, Caritas Jerusalem secretary-general Anton Asfar said it was an important project.

"We were deeply, and we are still deeply, touched by the closeness and care of late His Holiness Pope Francis,"

Mr Asfar said.

"He said that children are not only figures; they are human beings and we should care for their dignity."

Anton Asfar says treating in the Popemobile will give Gaza's children a glimpse of hope. (ABC News: Hamish Harty)

The open roof and sides of the vehicle have been enclosed, with refrigeration equipment for medical supplies, battery power supplies and air conditioning installed in the back cabin to treat patients in relative comfort.

The chassis of the Mitsubishi ute was reinforced to deal with driving on damaged roads, and its suspension and tyres were upgraded to allow it to access difficult locations.

The truck in a car workshop nearly completed with the glass housing on the bed and two men standing in front of it — Palestinians work to transform Pope Francis's former Popemobile into a fully equipped mobile clinic. (Reuters: Mussa Qawasma)

The chair in the back of the vehicle was the same one the Pope sat in as he was driven around in it more than a decade ago.

"The children will have the privilege to sit and be treated on that chair,"

Mr Asfar said.

"This brings a glimpse of hope to the community of Gaza, especially the children, their mothers and the most vulnerable," Mr Asfar said.

medical chair with arm and foot rests attached to the floor of popemobile. a cupboard behind it contains medical devices. — The chair Pope Francis sat in has been kept in the transformed vehicle. (ABC News: Matthew Doran)

The Popemobile was originally a gift of the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and had been in the custody of the Franciscan Friars in the intervening years.

The pontiff was greeted by massive crowds as he toured through Bethlehem in the back of the vehicle.

His visit included a hugely symbolic moment when he prayed at the separation wall built by Israel to cut Bethlehem off from Jerusalem.

Pope Francis was also welcomed in Israel at the time and led mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City — the site where Jesus was believed to be crucified, buried and resurrected.